Plumber cut my joists
#1
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Plumber cut my joists
I had the plumbing for a new bath roughed in through my garage ceiling for a bath above. Yesterday I am looking at the plumbing work and the drains for the shower and toilet come down straight through where the plumber has taken out entire pieces of joists (completely severed vertically) to install his pipes.
The guy shouldve at least asked - I would have moved their location, rather than cut the joists. When I asked him he said don't worry, it's fine. I doubt it.what should I do? If I run a sister all the way along the severed joists, would that be sufficient?
The guy shouldve at least asked - I would have moved their location, rather than cut the joists. When I asked him he said don't worry, it's fine. I doubt it.what should I do? If I run a sister all the way along the severed joists, would that be sufficient?
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I had the plumbing for a new bath roughed in through my garage ceiling for a bath above. Yesterday I am looking at the plumbing work and the drains for the shower and toilet come down straight through where the plumber has taken out entire pieces of joists (completely severed vertically) to install his pipes.
The guy shouldve at least asked - I would have moved their location, rather than cut the joists. When I asked him he said don't worry, it's fine. I doubt it.what should I do? If I run a sister all the way along the severed joists, would that be sufficient?
The guy shouldve at least asked - I would have moved their location, rather than cut the joists. When I asked him he said don't worry, it's fine. I doubt it.what should I do? If I run a sister all the way along the severed joists, would that be sufficient?
You need to install a header(double 2x`s) from joist to joist possibly on both sides of the pipe ,take a measurement between the existing full joists for the length on the header then do some layout on each inside edge so you can figure out where to install the header to. Then cut one piece at a time so you can end nail through the headers first piece right into the end of the cut off joist ,and nail the ends of it also then nail your second piece of header 2x on ,and if you have room to get some joist hangers in there on the header end and the joist end then go for it.Good luck
big jax
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I second that... and add one thing...
MEJ,
Bigjax is correct -- *provided* the cut joists are not side-by-side (you didn't specify). If you have two joists side-by-side and both have been cut what Bigjax mentions is not sufficient. In that case you should go to the next two joists outside the pair that are cut, sister a second joist onto each. Then widen the cut so that you can run a 'perpendicular joist' accross the ends of the cut ones. This perpendicular one also needs to be a double. If you end up having to do all this then everything definitely needs to be tied with joist hangers.
Essentially, this is just the 'bigger, uglier, gorilla version' of what Bigjax said. Having seen some of the butcher jobs that some plumbers can do I imediately assumed you may have this situation.
Bigjax is correct -- *provided* the cut joists are not side-by-side (you didn't specify). If you have two joists side-by-side and both have been cut what Bigjax mentions is not sufficient. In that case you should go to the next two joists outside the pair that are cut, sister a second joist onto each. Then widen the cut so that you can run a 'perpendicular joist' accross the ends of the cut ones. This perpendicular one also needs to be a double. If you end up having to do all this then everything definitely needs to be tied with joist hangers.
Essentially, this is just the 'bigger, uglier, gorilla version' of what Bigjax said. Having seen some of the butcher jobs that some plumbers can do I imediately assumed you may have this situation.
#4
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Go after the plumber
I would go after the plumber to pay for these costly repairs.
No inspector is going to approve this install as he has comprimised the structural integrity of your building. Get the rejection from the inspector and tell the plumber he has to get a licensed carpenter in to make the necessary modifications.
Until he does this, I would withhold any payments for his "work". If he fails to come through, report him to any local and state licensing organizations.
No inspector is going to approve this install as he has comprimised the structural integrity of your building. Get the rejection from the inspector and tell the plumber he has to get a licensed carpenter in to make the necessary modifications.
Until he does this, I would withhold any payments for his "work". If he fails to come through, report him to any local and state licensing organizations.
#5
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I had the same response as SGTGerryF. Assuming the work is permitted, no inspector is going to buy off on joists that are completely severed. Step one would be to get the inspector out to fail the work.
Assuming you have some holdback money on the contract, I woudn't pay him until it's resolved. If you don't have any holdback written into the contract, you may be screwed. If he's a fly by night guy, you may eat the cost to fix it.
If you get another contractor to fix the guy's mess, I would sue the plumber in small claims for the cost. An inspector's report would go a long way to proving your case.
In another forum here, there is a thread about customers looking over the contractors shoulder. Here's a prime example why. Some contractors are honest, some are liars and crooks and some are just incompetent. Whatever the case you have to look out for your own interests.
Assuming you have some holdback money on the contract, I woudn't pay him until it's resolved. If you don't have any holdback written into the contract, you may be screwed. If he's a fly by night guy, you may eat the cost to fix it.
If you get another contractor to fix the guy's mess, I would sue the plumber in small claims for the cost. An inspector's report would go a long way to proving your case.
In another forum here, there is a thread about customers looking over the contractors shoulder. Here's a prime example why. Some contractors are honest, some are liars and crooks and some are just incompetent. Whatever the case you have to look out for your own interests.
#6
Are you sure plumbers did this and not martians?! None of my plumber subs would do that (yeah, right). All the suggestions above are right on, especially regarding the inspection. Not making excuses for them, but they have to get installations done, and sometimes get carried away with the sawzall. If they tell me, I will usually go ahead of them and do the cutting and reframing for them to avoid problems like what you have. Good luck with the repair.